Peach tree named `Baekyakdo`

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of peach tree (Prunus persica) with the following combination of unique and desirable characteristics: 
     1. Heavy and regular production of fruit; 
     2. Production of very firm, white flesh fruit with good handling and shipping quality; 
     3. Fruit that will stay firm on the 10 to 17 days after maturity (shipping ripe); 
     4. Fruit with excellent flavor and eating quality; 
     5. Middle season maturity of white flesh fruit; 
     6. Fruit with an attractive milky white skin; and 
     7. Vigorous half open growth habit.

BACKGROUND OF VARIETY

In the country of origin, Republic of Korea, the tree of this disclosureis believed to have been derived from the Korean commercial variety`Yumyeong`, and within the subspecies dianthiflora (Dipp.); and,originated in Seomyun, Yunkikun, Chungnam, Republic of Korea. Theappropriate botanical classification for this tree is believed to bePrunus persica. This subject tree is believed to be exceptional in anumber of characteristics and will offer a further option to commercialgrowers of stone fruits in terms of fruit having large to very largesize, firm flesh, clingstone, sweet, attractively colored fruit whichhas a comparatively high capacity to withstand handling, shipping andstorage. Having the additional desirable fruit characteristics of heavyproduction of fruit with an attractive ovate shape and pleasant, sweettaste, and which is harvested earlier than normal harvest for fruit ofextra large size, this tree promises to be a valuable new variety toindustry and commerce which has value as a dessert variety but which mayalso be used as a canner. This tree further has the advantage of beingmid to late-season in blooming so that it is less susceptible to latefrosts than other locally adapted tree varieties. I am not aware ofvarieties which offer a similar or comparable combination ofcharacteristics.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The new tree was selected from among several thousand seedlings from the`Yumyeong` variety, which had been planted on my farm in Seomyun,Yunkikun, Chungnam, Korea. The seedling was discovered near a specimenof the noted apparent seed parent, which is a late season variety andwhich normally ripens between August 20 and September 10. My attentionwas drawn to this tree when I noticed that it was unusually precocious;producing two to three times more flowers than the parent `Yumyeong`variety on blooming wood, and by having flowers of a much brighter colorthan the parent variety. With the recognition of these differentcharacteristics, I allowed the tree to remain for further observation.Upon development and ripening of the fruit, it became clear to me thatthis tree showed promise due to its production of very high qualityfruit of large to extra large size and unusual attractiveness. Based onthese observations, I selected the variety for asexual reproduction andcommercialization.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

Asexual reproduction of the new and distinct variety was performed bybudding in my orchard located in Seomyun Yunkikun, Chungnam, Korea andshows that all characteristics run true to the original tree and areestablished and transmitted through succeeding propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The present new and distinct variety of peach tree has been denominated`Baekyakdo`, and the height of the fully grown tree is about 3 meters,which is about 50 cm smaller than that of the tree, Yumyeong, and thediameter of the tree is about 6 to 7 meters. The instant cultivarexhibits vigorous half open growth and is a regular and productivebearer of extra large, white skin, white flesh, clingstone fruit with amild, sweet, subacidic flavor with excellent eating and stock quality.The fruit is further characterized by having very firm flesh, theability to hang on the tree 10 to 17 days after maturity (shippingripe), having good handling and shipping quality, a white skin groundcolor and ripening in the middle maturity season, approximately 10 daysafter `Changbang joseng`, 20 days before Yumyeong, which are establishedcommercial varieties in Korea.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

FIG. 1 shows typical specimens of the fruit of the new and distinctpeach variety shortly after being picked (firm ripe); illustrating theexterior of the fruit, a fruit divided in its suture plane to revealflesh coloration, pit cavity, and a stone remaining in place.

FIG. 2 depicts a flower of the peach tree `Baekyakdo`.

FIG. 3 depicts the blossoms of `Yumyeong` (unpatented), `Woulme`(unpatented), `Baekyakdo`, `Changbang joseng` (unpatented), and `Wangdo`(the subject of copending U.S. Plant Patent application Ser. No.08/862,644), from left to right.

FIG. 4. depicts typical leaves from `Wangdo` (above) and `Woulme`(below). The leaf shape of `Baekyakdo` is the same as that of `Woulme`.

The colors depicted are as true as is reasonably possible to attain incolor reproductions of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new anddistinct variety of peach tree, its flowers, fruit and foliage as basedon observations of the specimen grown in my orchard located SeomyunYunkikun Chungnam, Korea, with color terminology (except those in commonterms) in accordance with Pantone® Professional Color System Selector(Pantone, Inc., 1984, 1990).

Tree:

Size.--Large.

Vigor.--Vigorous. Having terminal growth of 1.5 to 2 meters per year,with the growth of the trunk terminating at the height of 3 to 3.5meters in 3 or 4 years, in Chungnam, Korea.

Form.--Usually pruned to half open shape. The new peach tree grows 1.5to 2 meters every year from the first to the third year, with the trunkterminating at about 3 meters height and then the trunk thickening everyyear, and the branches extending upwardly at an angle of 40 to 60degrees, growing 1.5 meters to 2 meters a year to a maximum extent of 6to 7 meters. Less branching compared to `Yumyeong` variety or otherpeach trees. To obtain large fruit, about 50% pruning is necessary.

Production.--Productive.

Bearing.--Regular.

Density.--Medium dense.

Trunk:

Size.--Medium to stocky.

Texture.--Smooth.

Color.--Brown (18-1124) to (18-1222).

Branches:

Size.--Medium.

Texture.--Varies from smooth to medium rough with maturity.

Lenticels.--Medium size. Medium number.

Color.--Brown (18-1031) to (18-1130) having small parts with light green(16-6329) to (16-6339).

Leaves:

Size.--Medium to large. The shape and size are almost the same as thoseof `Yumyeong` variety, but color of the leaves is much lighter greenthan that of `Yumyeong` or other varieties.

Average.--14 to 16cm

Average width.--2.5 to 2.8 cm.

Form.--Lanceolate-pointed.

Texture.--Smooth.

Thickness.--Medium.

Margin.--Crenate.

Petiole.--Medium length. Medium thickness.

Glands.--Reniform. Number varies from 0 to 5. Average number 2. Locatedon base of leaf blade and upper portion of petiole.

Color.--Upper surface green to dark green (18-01117) to (18-0322). Lowersurface dull green to grayish green (17-6319) to (17-0119).

Flower buds:

Size.--Medium.

Form.--Plump.

Length.--Medium.

Pubescene.--Pubescent.

Flowers:

Size.--Medium. -- non-showy.

Blooming period.--Apr. 17, 1995 to Apr. 27, 1995. Varies slightly due toclimatic conditions. This variety is about 3 or 4 days later inflowering than Yumyeong peach trees. The tree is not self-fertile.

Color.--Pinkish in bud and early bloom stage, becoming milky white.

Pollen.--Very little.

Fruit:

Maturity when described.--Firm ripe.

Date of first picking.--Aug. 1, 1995.

Date of last picking.--Aug. 10, 1995.

Size.--Extra Large. Average diameter axially 9.5 to 13 cm. Averagetransversely in suture plane 8.5 to 12 cm.

Form.--Globose -- slightly tip at apex and slightly flattended on stemend. The fruit is exceptionally symmetrical.

Suture.--Shallow but pronounced, extends from base to apex.

Ventral surface.--Nearly rounded, very slightly lipped.

Apex.--Varies from rounded to slight pistil point.

Base.--Retuse.

Cavity.--Rounded to slightly elongated in suture plane. Average depth --1.5 cm. Average breadth 2.0 cm.

Skin:

Thickness.--Medium.

Texture.--Tenacious to flesh.

Tendency to crack.--None.

Down.--Moderate amount, short to very short in length.

Color.--White (11-0304) to (11-0616).

Flesh:

Texture.--Very frim.

Ripens.--Evenly.

Fibers.--Small, tender.

Juice.--Moderate.

Flavor.--Excellent, mild, very sweet.

Aroma.--Moderate.

Eating quality.--Excellent.

Amygdalin.--Undetected.

Color.--White to milky white (no Pantone number) to (11-0507).

Stone:

Type.--Clingstone.

Size.--Large. Average length 2.7 cm. Average width 2.6 cm. Averagethickness 1. 7cm.

Form.--Ovoid.

Base.--Mostly straight -- some rounded.

Apex.--Acuminate.

Sides.--Equal.

Surface.--Irregularly furrowed toward apex, ridges usually rounded,pitted toward base.

Tendency to spit.--None.

Color.--Brown to reddish brown (18-1540) to (19-1540).

Use: The fruit of the present new variety is well suited for novelty,processing and canning, as well as for use as a dessert peach.

Market.--Local and long distance.

Keeping quality: Very good.

Shipping quality: Very good.

The new and distinct variety of peach tree, its flowers, foliage andfruit described above may vary in slightdetail due to variations inclimate, soil conditions and cultural practices under which the varietymay be grown. The botanical description above is that of the varietygrown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Seomyun YunkikunChungnam, Korea.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of peach tree, substantially asillustrated and described, characterized by its large size, vigorous,half open growth and being a regular and productive bearer of large,middle season maturing, white flesh, clingstone fruit with excellentflavor and eating quality; the fruit is further characterized by havingvery firm flesh, good handling and shipping quality and having whiteskin.